Disease Surveillance

Question 1

What is disease surveillance?

Answer 1

The systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of data on disease occurrence to detect, monitor, and respond to communicable diseases.

Question 2

List six purposes of disease surveillance.

Answer 2

1. Detect/monitor disease occurrence.
2. Identify trends/patterns.
3. Detect outbreaks.
4. Evaluate control measures.
5. Enable timely interventions.
6. Guide public health planning.

Question 3

What are the four key components of disease surveillance?

Answer 3

1. Data collection.
2. Data analysis.
3. Data interpretation.
4. Data dissemination.

Question 4

What roles do laboratories play in disease surveillance?

Answer 4

• Confirm diagnoses.
• Identify pathogens.
• Detect drug resistance.
• Monitor pathogen mutations.
• Provide data for public health actions.

Question 5

Name three laboratory testing methods and their uses.

Answer 5

1. Microbiological: Culture and biochemical tests (e.g., bacterial identification).
2. Molecular: PCR/NAATs (detect pathogen DNA/RNA).
3. Serological: Antibody detection (past/current infection).

Question 6

Define outbreak investigation.

Answer 6

A systematic process to identify, characterize, and control disease clusters/epidemics.

Question 7

List the six steps of outbreak investigation.

Answer 7

1. Detection and reporting.
2. Confirmation/case definition.
3. Descriptive epidemiology (time, place, person).
4. Analytical epidemiology (risk factors/sources).
5. Control measures (isolation, vaccination).
6. Communication/reporting.

Question 8

What is the difference between descriptive and analytical epidemiology in outbreaks?

Answer 8

• Descriptive: Identifies patterns (who, where, when).
• Analytical: Identifies causes (how/why via case-control/cohort studies).

Question 9

Why is early detection critical in disease surveillance?

Answer 9

Enables rapid control measures (e.g., isolation, treatment) to limit spread and reduce impact.

Question 10

How does surveillance aid in public health planning?

Answer 10

Provides data to anticipate risks, allocate resources, and develop prevention strategies.

Question 11

What role does surveillance play in identifying new pathogens?

Answer 11

Detects emerging threats, informs diagnostic test development, and guides vaccine/treatment research.

Question 12

Why are disease surveillance, lab detection, and outbreak investigations vital?

Answer 12

They enable early outbreak control, monitor trends, identify new pathogens, and guide public health policies.

Question 13

What is the ultimate goal of disease surveillance?

Answer 13

To protect populations by preventing, detecting, and responding to communicable diseases effectively.